Stories Before Sept 2016

There is no doubt that divorce proceedings can get nasty and that's particularly the case for a Scranton Weatherman and his wife.

The ex-wife of WBRE-TV personality Dave Kuharchik claims he threatened to kill her Monday in a phone call about child custody matters, according to a restraining order petition filed in Luzerne County Court.

Kathleen Ankenbrand, of West Pittston, alleges in court filings that Monday’s spat was just the latest in a series of threatening behavior and verbal abuse by Kuharchik, a meteorologist and the co-host of the station’s afternoon lifestyles show, “PA Live!”

Ankenbrand claims Kuharchik pesters her with text messages and phone calls that often end with him wishing she loses her battle with multiple sclerosis and dies.

Luzerne County Judge Fred Pierantoni on Monday granted Ankenbrand a temporary protection-from-abuse order, prohibiting the television host from any contact with Ankenbrand and their three children, ages 9, 7, and 2 until a hearing Aug. 20.

Kuharchik, 35, adamantly denied the allegations Monday night.

“I’m reading this and none of this is true. I never said any of this,” Kuharchik said in a telephone interview shortly after authorities served him the order at his West Wyoming home. “There is no merit to this. She is making up stories and lying.”

The former couple, separated since January 2012, have been locked in a bitter custody dispute in county court. Their divorce, ending 10 years of marriage, was finalized Friday.

When reached Monday, Ankenbrand said she filed the order because, “I don’t need to be harassed anymore.”

She insisted her claims were true, particularly the many times he said he “hopes I die.”

Ankenbrand said she never made any reports to police.

Kuharchik, still grieving the death of his brother last week, predicted evidence presented at the hearing would clear his name.